Douglas Sylvester (Doug) is a visionary leader at the intersection of law, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Recently, Doug ended more than a decade as one of the most innovative and successful law deans in the country. In his tenure as Dean of the College of Law at Arizona State University, Doug was responsible for an incredible rise in national rankings, increase in new programming, and massive increase in revenue. Under his leadership, the law school achieved a top-25 national ranking and became one of only three self-supporting public law schools in the country, all without raising tuition.

Doug’s strong leadership wasn’t confined to the dean’s office.  His vision led to the development of the Beus Center for Law and Society in downtown Phoenix, a hub for ASU Law and various innovative legal organizations including ASU Alumni Law Group and Arizona Legal Center. Doug was also the founding faculty director and an integral partner in the ASU Innovation Advancement program (including courses, small business and patent clinics, as well as expansion into the Washington D.C. and LA communities).

In addition to his work as an academic, Doug has always shown a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Because of this, he has represented dozens of companies in various sectors, taught at business schools around the country, and has been engaged as counsel, advisor, or founder for numerous startups. In recent years, Doug has also helped found an exciting medtech company, Scripguard.com, and has been very active in the investment and financial communities in Arizona and beyond.

Doug’s influence on Arizona’s law education and entrepreneurial ecosystem is undeniable.  He is a true catalyst for innovation, and his leadership has been recognized through prestigious awards like the Phoenix Business Journal’s “Most Admired Leader” and an AzTech Council “Transformational Leadership” nomination.  To this day, Doug continues to leave his mark on the entrepreneurial landscape by fostering a collaborative ecosystem for community partners, investors, and entrepreneurs.